GARDENING WITH MARK AND BEN

December, 2025

How Do You Feel About Being Canadian?


Recently, the Globe and Mail solicited readers to answer the question about being Canadian. Here is the link to the story (and questionnaire) Trump’s ‘51st state’ comments launched a wave of Canadian patriotism. Has your life changed since then? - The Globe and Mail


This got us thinking about our own Canadian-ness. Ben is an organic gardener come farmer, Mark a tree activist and pollinator garden enthusiast.  

And we are a lot of other things. But most of all we are Canadians. 


While the Prime Minister and provincial leaders busy themselves protecting Canadian jobs, among other things, we focus on what we can do to protect our environment and remain loyal to Canadian manufacturers and retailers.  To that end, some suggestions of how you can give gifts this Christmas that will leave your hard-earned dollars in this country. 


A short list of some of our favourite sources of domestic gifts:

Lee Valleywww.leevalley.com  It is likely you have heard of them. Based in Ottawa, they are, in our opinion, the industry leaders for quality garden supplies. Take your time as you browse their website and be sure to check out the woodworking tools also, for the woodworker on your list.  Not everything here is made in Canada, but a lot is.


Veseys seeds. www.veseys.com Based in PEI, this supplier of quality seeds and bulbs has a pretty nice collection of garden gear too. We order many of our seeds from Veseys each Spring but now would be a good time to look at their wares in terms of Christmas gift ideas. What is wrong with giving seeds for Christmas?


Your local independent garden centre. Shopping online has its limitations. For one, a local professional is not exactly convenient when you have questions while sitting at your computer. Not so at your local independent garden centre. In our experience, and we have a lot in this genre, the people who work in the retail gardening trade are there because they love their work. And they would like to meet you. This link will send you to our industry trade association, the CNLA/Independent garden centres where you can find one near you. https://www.cnla.ca/find-a-member/members?category=independent-garden-centres#section-lister


Home Hardware. Between us we spent over 25 years working for the corporation in St. Jacobs Ontario. While we parted company a few years ago, we still hold them in very high regard. They are 100% Canadian owned and community focused. Not everything that they sell is made in Canada, but we are sure they can direct you to merchandise that is. Just ask. Home Hardware dealers and staff love being asked! Here’s How 😊  www.homehardware.ca


Independent book sellers.  There are many ways to buy books.  Chances are there is an independent book seller near you. Check out this list from the Canadian Independent Booksellers Association. Note that many independent book sellers sell “on line”.   https://www.cibabooks.ca/member-directory


Trading Post at Bear Spring Eco Retreat https://tradingpost.bearspringeco.ca/collections/seasonal. Hand made knives and other “outdoor” gear. You will enjoy browsing their curated offering. The owner/founder Soita Work calls herself an Eco Retailer. Central Kootenay, BC.   Her offerings accurately reflect this. 


Food and Shelter Goods. Full disclosure: daughter to Mark/sister to Ben owns and operates Food and Shelter Goods. Guelph based, 100% Canadian sourced and hand-made, it is highly likely you will find something for the gardener and the home-body on your list.  Curated with care and imagination: enjoy the “new collection”, just launched. www.foodandsheltergoods.com


Circle Farms. https://www.circlefarms.ca/  Calgary based. Seeds, gardeners hand scrub, hand made soap, soy candles. All good stuff.


Thread and Maple. www.threadandmaple.com     Mark discovered this all-Canadian website for knitters and other yarn-crafters when he was shopping for his wife Marys’ birthday. Some amazing stuff, much hand made with a specialty in leather goods. When you are not gardening, maybe you are knitting?


Trees for Heroes. If you are not looking for “stuff” to buy and give, how 'bout giving a tree to honour a hero in your life? Trees For Life offers a certificate bearing the name of the person you wish to thank and acknowledge. A friend, teacher, first responder, or relative: you know who your heroes are. $150 for an urban tree (not a small reforestation job) and each purchase is matched through Canada’s 2 Billion Tree Program. Trees For Life is a registered charity, so you will receive a tax deductible receipt. www.treesforlife.ca. (Mark is volunteer Chair)


Our very best wishes to you this December. We hope that it is snowy, and wintery and cold and that the ones you love are nearby, warming your heart.

Thank you for your loyalty and for recommending our newsletter to friends and family.


With our very best, greenest wishes.


Mark and Ben Cullen

www.markcullen.com

www.foodandsheltergoods.com

www.treesforlife.ca

THINGS TO DO THIS MONTH

Sign up for Project Feeder Watch. At regular intervals from November to April, thousands of FeederWatchers count the kinds and numbers of birds at their feeders, then submit their observations to Birds Canada. This information helps scientists study winter bird populations. https://feederwatch.org/


Sign Up for the Trees For Life newsletter. We are committed to increasing the leafy canopy in communities across the country, and in doing so, helping Canada to meet its 2040 net-zero carbon emissions goal. Stay in touch and keep up to date with the campaign. Visit www.treesforlife.ca to sign up today.


Purchase a Hero Tree. Trees for Life is proud to plant trees that pay tribute to the heroes who make our communities and our country a better place for you and for all. These heroes include military, first responders, front-line & healthcare workers, neighbours, and loved ones. Plant a tree to honour, or in memory of a friend or loved one. Simply select your donation amount, then tell us how you would like to personalize your certificate. (Certificates are provided for donations of $150 or more.) All donations are matched through the 2 Billion Tree program, Ministry of Natural Resources.  More details here https://secure.qgiv.com/for/treesforheroes


Check out the 2026 Harrowsmith Almanac. Harrowsmith's Almanac provides Canadians from all walks of life with pages of fun and useful information on country living and treading a little more lightly upon the earth. In the only 100% Canadian made almanac on the market, there is plenty to look forward to. Amazingly packed with essential information. www.harrowsmithmag.com


Pick up a Poinsettia plant to brighten your holiday home. Poinsettias may be popular in the winter, but they cannot stand freezing temperatures. In the walk from the store to the car, be sure to wrap your plant in a plastic bag. Choose a bright room in the house but do not place the poinsettia in direct light. Remove the decorative wrapping (it looks good, but it hinders proper air flow and water drainage). Unlike many other plants, the poinsettia's soil will need to stay slightly moist. Watering will depend heavily on your home's climate.


Order seed catalogues. We’ve started receiving 2026 catalogues in the mail and will order seeds soon so that we are not disappointed.


Pick up an amaryllis bulb as a Christmas gift. Enjoyed by people of ALL ages: easy to grow and fun to watch them develop through the winter. Magnificent blooms.  

Note: we are ever grateful to Jody for his reliable and engaging message each month in our newsletter. Thank you Jody! Have a wonderful Christmas. Mark and Ben 


BIRDS IN FOCUS:

Take Part in the Christmas Bird Count

-a Birding Tradition

By Jody Allair

 

You could argue that any time of year is a good time to go birding. But there is something special that happens each December, no not the arrival of presents under a tree, I’m talking about Christmas Bird Count season. The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is an annual winter birding tradition that began in 1900, making it North America’s longest-running bird monitoring project. Participating is a fun way to experience winter birding and socialize with fellow birders in your community.

 

Each year, volunteer groups complete over 2000 counts across the Western Hemisphere. Each count takes place on a day from December 14 to January 5. Last year’s (Canada’s 125th) Christmas Bird Count engaged thousands of volunteers across 481 circles, documenting 284 species.

White-tailed Ptarmigan

Photo credit: Jody Allair

Many CBCs have been run by volunteer groups for decades, contributing valuable data on local, regional, and national trends and distributions of winter bird populations. The information collected by thousands of volunteer participants forms one of the world's largest sets of wildlife survey data. The results are used frequently by conservation biologists and naturalists to assess the population trends and distribution of birds. Most recently it was used in the State of Canada’s Birds Report.

 

The Christmas Bird Count is delivered in Canada by Birds Canada, in partnership with National Audubon Society. To learn more and to find a CBC count near you visit Birds Canada’s website at: birdscanada.org/volunteer/cbc.

 

Good Birding!

 

Jody Allair

Director, Community Engagement

Birds Canada

Follow me on Instagram and Bluesky: @JodyAllair

MONTHLY OFFER FROM FOOD & SHELTER GOODS

Get ready for the holidays with Free Shipping across Canada.

Gift your loved ones with Canadian goods lovingly handmade by artisans. 

code: decembernewsletter


www.foodandsheltergoods.com

TREES FOR LIFE

Trees for Life makes the most of your charitable giving.

ALL donations by December 31, 2025 will be matched!


Donate and help us ensure a greener, healthier Canada for future generations.

Harrowsmith - Feature Recipe

Buttermilk & Aged Cheddar Biscuits. Makes 12 Biscuits. By Chef ILona Daniel go to www.harrowsmithmag.com/55465/buttermilk-aged-cheddar-biscuits

 

For more seasonal recipes, pick up a copy of Harrowsmith's Canadian Almanac & Harrowsmith Winter 2025/26 available on newsstands now or better yet - - Black Friday Sale, which is 1yr + 1 bonus issue (5 issues) for $25 + tax, sale ends Dec 2nd. Click here for Black Friday special 

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